Bucs Explain Why Non-Season Ticket Holders Are Locked Out Of Training Camp
July 27th, 2022
All fans matter to Bucs.
Yes, training camp practices begin this morning! Today!
So Joe figures now is the best time to let Bucs fans know of a conversation Joe had with a high-level Bucs suit about why only season ticket holders can secure access to training camp practices this summer, and those involved in a special interest group event.
Ever since the Bucs began this trend last summer, Joe has been against it. It’s a slap in the face to devout Bucs fans who may not be able to afford season tickets.
Ironically, last year was the first training camp after the Bucs broke their 13-season playoff drought, and also the first training camp after the Bucs won their second Super Bowl.
It just stunk out loud to Joe that just when the Bucs turned the corner and became a winner after years of dreadful football, the Bucs stiff-armed so many fans and acted as if the Bucs were too good for the unwashed and had no use for fans unless they ponied up for season tickets.
Joe wrote this again in June when the training camp schedule was released.
Well, a couple of days after that article published, a high-ranking Bucs official graciously asked to talk to Joe and explain the Bucs’ side of things. Joe fully understands where the Bucs are coming from, but in the end, Joe agreed to disagree.
Joe still doesn’t understand why the team cannot find ways to allow non-season ticket holders to wet their beaks by getting their own view at training camp to watch their beloved Bucs.
The Bucs executive was adamant: in no way are the Bucs trying to crap on fans. That’s not the case. Rather, Joe was told, there is such high demand from season ticket holders to watch training camp practice, the Bucs are instead prioritizing those fans who drop lots of coin on them.
Joe understands this, even though the appearance may seem slimy. Look, Joe gets it: Those who pay inevitably get more service. This is common sense.
When Joe goes to a mom-and-pop restaurant and sits next to a table of six, of course the table of six will have a waitress hovering around more than at Joe’s table for one. Look, Joe might drop $20 on the meal and a $5 tip. But the party of six could spend $150 or so with at least a $30 tip.
So basically, the Bucs here are the mom-and-pop restaurant owners and season ticket holders are the party of six. Again, understandable.
The main issue seems to be the seating capacity of the Glazer Shed. The Bucs want all fans at practices to be able to quickly file into the Glazer Shed in case of inclement weather.
Joe specifically asked why the Bucs couldn’t have a special section roped off, standing room only outdoors, without access to the Glazer Shed, for non-season ticket holders. Say along the concrete patio on the south end of the practice fields bordering the Glazer Shed? That solution was dismissed by the Bucs official who repeatedly referenced City of Tampa fire codes and how many folks are allowed in the Glazer Shed.
Joe was also told if the Bucs could figure out a way for non-season ticket holders to attend practices, it would have happened.
Joe also brought up the absence of a night practice at the stadium. Once upon a time, the Bucs had a FanFest. That went away and morphed into the night practice at the stadium. Joe was told the risk of losing a practice to inclement weather was too great. Understandable, but there is the Glazer Shed.
Surely, if the Bucs bus players to the stadium (which they would), and they will bus the players back to One Buc Palace, they can easily bus the players back to One Buc Palace earlier than scheduled to complete a practice in the Glazer Shed, if thunderstorms derailed the stadium practice.
So the threat of losing a practice due to weather as the rationale for not having a night practice at the stadium simply doesn’t add up.
One thing was very clear throughout the phone conversation: The Bucs’ executive bristled and firmly pushed back at the assertion that the team does not care about fans who don’t own season tickets. Joe was told in no uncertain terms that the Bucs embrace all of their fans.
In Joe’s mind, finding a way for some non-season ticket holders to get their own tickets to training camp practice doesn’t seem to be an unsolvable puzzle on the same level as, say, Dwight Eisenhower groping for a way to successfully invade France.
July 27th, 2022 at 3:58 am
Lmao at them running interference for their obvious money grab. The Glazers only care about money. You don’t force fans to sign on for two years of season tickets otherwise. The truth is that this team has been irrelevant since the Boys took over and now that TB12 is here they’re cashing in while it’s still good. If only these high ranking Bucs officials advocated for our team as much as they do their bottom line, NFL network might still be showing our first Super Bowl win.
Training camp is for families with kids who want to meet the players. They’ve done everything they can to keep Brady from the masses and will continue to do so. Once we’re back to being the bottom of the league team, they’ll make it available to all. Absolutely pathetic.
July 27th, 2022 at 4:39 am
Since day one the Glazers have been all about the Glazers as is their right to be. Outside of them screwing the fans and Raheem over while they were pursuing a soccer team, the Glazers have spent the loot needed for us to compete. That’s the bare minimum that nfl owners should provide to a teams fans and unlike their predecessor, the Glazers are willing to spend to win and I’m cool with that.
From the Glazers practical extortion of our community for a new stadium, to the obnoxious sweetheart deal that’s in place for said stadium, the writing was on the wall for me and I never expected them to become some benevolent benefactors of our community. It is what it is and it’s far better than what we had before them.
July 27th, 2022 at 5:26 am
C’mon, that’s a bit much. The Bucs are not an asset to the community? How are the Bucs any different than Caterpillar in Illinois which often got sweetheart deals from the state and when it finally behooved them financially they pulled up stakes and moved to Texas?
July 27th, 2022 at 5:53 am
Thanks for the article joe(s) I couldn’t agree more. We know they could do something if they wanted. How about first half prioritized for season ticket holders and half opened to GP. They can sit with the unwashed if they’re late.
And the elites will wonder why both sides of the political aisle are so pissed off right now it’s about to erupt. They get every benefit of society while crapping on the working people. Bailing out the corporations is just normal. Then when there’s a little social spending blaming inflation on THAT when we all see corporate profits are through the roof.
My family was a season ticket holder from 76-97. We had 6 seats 45 yard line 11 rows up. When moved over to the new stadium the tickets
not only had it gone up a lot they put us 30 more rows up over to the 35 yard line. You guessed it they gave are seats to new corporate write off fans who didn’t even show up. Our section was a family we all got to know each other over the years. It was never the same going to the games with people who aren’t even Bucs fans. Just going for the spectacle or because they’re winning.
July 27th, 2022 at 5:56 am
How about just do ONE or TWO practices for non-season ticket holders and then the season ticket holders can have ALL the rest….
Why is that so hard and seems more than fair? I get that prioritizing fans who drop the most money in supporting the team, but season ticket holders aren’t the ONLY fans and you can make everyone happy AND do good business by just offering ONE or TWO practices for first-come, first-serve/all fans type basis and then the season ticket holders get ALL of the other practices to themselves (which is still almost the majority of the open Training Camp practices for the season ticket holders).
That would be the best move to make and show all the fans that you appreciate their support in whatever way said fan can give it. Why can’t that be done….
July 27th, 2022 at 6:20 am
Buczilla- The Glazers have been waaay better than the greedy carpetbagger Culverhouses. They were the worst. They only took. At least the Glazers give us a competitive team and give back to the community. I’m not sure what all you want. Some seem to just not like their name. A popular boogeyman among the right lately, unfortunately.
July 27th, 2022 at 6:20 am
@Joe
How are the Bucs any different than Caterpillar in Illinois which often got sweetheart deals from the state and when it finally behooved them financially they pulled up stakes and moved to Texas?
No different at all which is why I prefaced everything with “as is their right to be”. Check out some old artcles from 1995 regarding the stadium negotiations. It sure reads like practical extortion to me. I’m ambivalent towards the Glazers and I love our Buccaneers, so I don’t really care what the Glazers do with themselves as long as they spend money on our team.
Yes, the Buccaneers are an asset to our community and I am grateful that the Glazers are far better owners than the previous dude, but our community has been instrumental (and that sweetheart stadium deal) in helping to make them multi billionaires. “To whom much is given, much will be required”. I don’t feel that the Glazers are anywhere close to living up to that and thats ok. I don’t expect them to be saints or to go out of their way for fans because their is nothing in their past that has shown that they will.
July 27th, 2022 at 6:27 am
Of course they have their reasons
But it is a BONEHEADED move!
Training camp is actually quite BORING but it is very appealing to many and a great way to expose the NFL live to fans and those contemplating going to game$$$ or even split season tickets with a friend or actually buy their own.
Baseball knows this
Neckcar really knows this
OneBuc always finds a way to step in their own poop
July 27th, 2022 at 6:58 am
Thanks for pushing back, using reason, and reporting back on your findings. Solid journalistic work from Joe. I wonder if the Bucs’ executive regrets calling Joe 🤔
July 27th, 2022 at 7:02 am
Wasn’t there already a season holder section at training camp? it wasn’t nearly as full as the “commoner” section smh. I get it more people will want to come but westerner nailed it it was a family event i would take my family to. Events for the kids, meeting the players, rooting for the guys during practice, oh and spending money on merch and food.
Moves like this puts even more of a sour taste in the mouths of fans who can’t afford to go to some games.
Did the Bucs rep even read the “fans comments” or just the article that made them look bad? there is a way to get both at practice, they just blow smoke and fire code BS. How about T.V.s in the covered seating areas and mor of them if we can’t fit in the shed? and don’t give me the inclement weather bs , fans have to deal with it at the games and everywhere else.
Man up Bucs!!! allow the fans to get there who’ve waited for the Bucs to become relevant for decades.
July 27th, 2022 at 7:06 am
If every practice is jammed with season ticket holders, ok (I guess), but I’m not there, so I don’t know. It’s still a little ridiculous.
July 27th, 2022 at 7:06 am
Many proverbs warn that the sin of pride is a dangerous offense. Proverbs 16:18 declares, “Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall.” Verse 18 links to verse 19: “Better to live humbly with the poor than to share plunder with the proud.” The meaning of the passage is clear-cut: pride leads to humiliation. It is better to be humble and poor than proud and rich.
July 27th, 2022 at 7:10 am
We talkin bout practice.
July 27th, 2022 at 7:17 am
Last year on weekdays there was often plenty of room to park your caboose.
July 27th, 2022 at 7:17 am
Suh.
July 27th, 2022 at 7:30 am
I guess I’m in the minority that doesn’t see a problem with this. Supply and demand. It’s a perk or a privilege to attend training camp, not a right. There is still fan-fest, right?
Also, Fire Marshals are not to be trifled with, as capacities and assembly codes are strictly defined and enforced. Same with heat & humidity and lightning; the second they capitulate to the peons by opening up standing room only, the next second everyone will be crying about the conditions. Slippery slope.
July 27th, 2022 at 7:33 am
Sure. But remember who funded the stadium who afforded the privileged to enjoy that perk.
No. Hasn’t been one since the Rah years.
July 27th, 2022 at 7:35 am
Some things are more important then money. Saying they can’t find a way is just pure laziness. A lot of fans helped pay the bills when Tampa was the NFC’s Browns. They pay these players ridiculous amounts of money and can’t let 100 people of the street for free??? Such a joke!
July 27th, 2022 at 7:41 am
Because capacity is limited and if they open it to the general public, the tickets would be gone in 10 seconds.
But don’t worry, once Brady is gone and Gabbert is the starter they will open it up to everyone because then season tickets will be readily available again. The Bucs customer service would have to be actual salespeople again.
July 27th, 2022 at 7:42 am
One compromise would be to open up a couple of days for the general public.
I certainly understand making attendance a perk of season ticket holders……after all, they are paying a very high price for the product.
I do salute Joe for fighting the good fight.
July 27th, 2022 at 7:47 am
Football brings us all together.
Very liberal of Joe to fight for non-season holders to get a shot at practice.
Conservative Joe would be fine with economics bearing out.
Joe for president.
July 27th, 2022 at 7:49 am
Excuses, excuses, excuses. How about make a practice or two for non season ticket holders? Sure would like to take my nephew. This is terrible look on Bucs part.
July 27th, 2022 at 7:51 am
Chitty, just chitty.
July 27th, 2022 at 7:54 am
Excuses, excuses, excuses. No reason they can’t have a practice or two dedicated to non season ticket holders. Terrible look Buccaneers. Keep letting them know, Joe.
July 27th, 2022 at 7:58 am
I didn’t need this article to figure out it was a case of supply and demand. Once Tom Brady and Bucs won Super Bowl, the demand to watch the team was overwhelming. heck even I wanted to go see the team practice after all the excitement. and ive gone to U Tampa during wyche and the rookie hazing singalong when Horace Copeland did great Michael Jackson impersonations! and someone did a horrible achy breaky heart! damn that was awful
July 27th, 2022 at 7:59 am
I would be happy if the Bucs would televise (Youtube) the practices that are open to the season ticket holders.
July 27th, 2022 at 8:02 am
I remember the first fan day they held when Tony Dungy first became head coach. Malchom Glazer, and his two sons were walking amongest the crowds seemingly going unnoticed. I noticed, and walked up to Malchom Glazer saying I never met a billionaire before. Mr. Glazer graceously shook my hand, and thanked me, and my son for coming out. He went further. I had a camera, no cell phones back then, and asked if I’d like a picture with him? Joel took the picture with our arms around each other. I still get a kick out of that picture today. Then he took out a Buc tie pin, and gave it to me saying, I don’t give these out to just anyone. I thanked him, shook hands again, and he continued on still unnoticed by the crowd. My how times have changed.
July 27th, 2022 at 8:05 am
Far cry from when the GBoyz bought the team and all 3 were walking Pidgin Poop stadium gleefully glad handing any and all fans looking to shake their hands.
I have a season ticket stub initialed by poppa Glazer as he walked the south end zone of the Ole Sombrero in a dark suit at a early season game against KC it was HOT HOT HOT !
July 27th, 2022 at 8:07 am
I love how everyone says “just a practice or two” they have to separate the season ticket holders from the club level or ownership box people. Club level ticket buyers can’t go to half the practices. season ticket buyers can’t go to half the practices, but they’re gonna find a way for everyone ??? im sorry I get it. it is just that’s how many want to watch practice. PLUS, all of us. Come on guys, there’s not enough seats to go around, your gonna tell people who spent 10k dollars they can’t watch practice?
July 27th, 2022 at 8:08 am
Leighroy’s comments are spot on. Fire codes define maximum capacity among other things so this becomes a simple mathematical equation. It’s not outside the realm of possibility that with this team, with Brady, and with such high hopes of a Super Bowl that they can easily exceed maximum capacity every night they allow fans for training camp. So if they exceed maximum capacity every night with season ticket and non-season ticket holders then there will be Bucs fans left out. Even if the Bucs ensured that a non-season ticket holder could only get one ticket for one day I firmly believe there are too many fans out there from all over that would come. Someone will be excluded so a line has to be drawn. It makes sense to draw the line where it favors season ticket holders.
I was against this a few weeks ago but I believe the Bucs’ side of things.
July 27th, 2022 at 8:39 am
Are we still acting like the practice is full during the week?
There is also a lot of ‘team building activities’ ticket tax write offs going on. Especially the club, box and prime seating.
July 27th, 2022 at 8:44 am
Don’t think that’s kosher with the NFL. Otherwise teams would be doing that. NFL is leaving a lot of bread on the table.
July 27th, 2022 at 8:44 am
It is supply and demand. There are more people wanting to attend a practice than there are available seats. (or standing spaces) It is only fair that the people who shelled out get priority. I agree with the fan who suggested they film some of the practices. The local TV stations could bid for the rights to televise them and the team could make a tidy profit.
July 27th, 2022 at 8:48 am
@Joe, bravo to for your stand against class segregation. I think your point is spot on, not the analogies (later), all be it a first world problem. There is a way, first come first served. The entitled can queue up like the rest of the world who cannot afford a “fast pass.”
Re: your restaurant diner party of 6 vs party of 1 analogy. It doesn’t work because it needs to viewed per capita. While you did tack on an additional $5/person in the larger party, you ignore the additional hidden cost of that larger party. 1. Large parties tend to sit longer chatting, while sqatting on valuable real-estate. 2. They require more work for clean up, set up, & breakdown. 3. As a percentage, single diners tend to tip higher. 4. More work if splitting the check for the large party or lower percentage tip due to sticker shock. And finally, where the hell are you dining that a party of 6 can get away with a $150 tab, Applebees?
The difference between an NFL club vs Caterpillar’s sweetheart local deals are, Caterpillar is not also handed a major revenue generating facility, they don’t get huge TV contracts, employees don’t pay to park… but the biggest difference is the offer high paying jobs to common Joes who are invested in the community and don’t leave in free agency or when they break a leg. They pay the community, not only take from them.
July 27th, 2022 at 8:51 am
Joe — excellent work. Please keep the pressure on. The Bucs response to you is pure, runny, smelly BS.
July 27th, 2022 at 8:52 am
I have no real dog in this fight as I’m a season ticket holder and I also couldn’t care less about attending practices. But for those railing against the owners, you guys are either very young or have a short memory. In the NFL the Glazers are easily in one of the higher tiers when it comes to ownership. If you want to kill some time read about some of the other 31 owners and see if you feel the same way. As for the practices themselves, I would think it would be a madhouse if it were a free-for-all for people wanting to get a glimpse of Tom Brady. And while that might seem like a good thing for the brand, it would present obvious safety issues in a couple of different ways. Weather, general security, etc. So I have no issues with them doing things this way. But that’s just me. Someone who won’t be at practice anyways.
July 27th, 2022 at 8:55 am
That is not true. Weekdays there were plenty of places to sit. Even this morning for first practice there is room for more.
There are ample places for folks to stand.
July 27th, 2022 at 9:14 am
Pretty greedy of Bucs. Shame.
Do any other teams do this?
July 27th, 2022 at 9:25 am
A few years back when the stick carriers took over a training camp we had so many people we broke fire c ode its just what it is
July 27th, 2022 at 9:32 am
My father and I were season tickets holders for over 30 years with our seats located on the west side goal line 14 rows up. Year after year we asked for upgraded seats, because we were only two we were ignored. I told the Bucs ticket dignitaries prior to our last season, if no upgrade we were out. Of course that request fell on deaf ears so we were out.
Hard to imagine the money we had given to the Buc organization over all those years, towards the end the tickets were $100 a game x 10 games, 8 regular and 2 preseason. Parking, concessions and of course the drive up and back from Sarasota.
They showed no loyalty to my father and I who supported a team that quite frankly lost a lot of games and most years were not very good.
July 27th, 2022 at 9:35 am
If the Bucs were focussed on their “long suffering” supporters they would have come up with some kind of lottery system to accomodate some individuals, couples and small groups as a set percentage of those allowed to attend.
July 27th, 2022 at 9:45 am
I don’t have any issue with this at all. They need something to generate season ticket sales, and this is a good place to start.
Absolutely no problem with this at all.
And for those who do not have season tickets (of which I am one), I have not attended a training camp since they were at University of Tampa years ago (I moved from town). I missed it at first, but it is what it is.
Let the season ticket holders have a perk worth having.
July 27th, 2022 at 9:45 am
If the Bucs were focussed on their “long suffering” supporters they would have come up with some kind of lottery system to accomodate some individuals, couples and small groups as a set percentage of those allowed to attend.
July 27th, 2022 at 9:50 am
“Back in the day” Illinois was a strong union state and Texas was a “righ to work” state. In the long run the economics of the situation caught up with Caterpiller Tractor Company.
July 27th, 2022 at 10:08 am
I get it but I stopped giving a crap about going to games or getting season tickets a few years back.
I had season tickets from 2000 until 2008.
After that I decided enough is enough. The price is insane. The cost of food and beverages is Criminal. Plus they want you to pay for parking on top of it? F that. For a family of 4 I could think of a million things better to do with my money. I’ll watch the game at home on a 75 inch high definition screen, in AC
July 27th, 2022 at 10:11 am
That’s complete bullsh**, the 130 dollar table spends over a hour because they are entitled because their bill is over 100 when in reality, that table could have been turned over 3xs in that time period. Same with the bucs
July 27th, 2022 at 11:10 am
Can we do a flash poll? My brain needs to know!
How many of you folks calling the team out for not letting people attend practice have:
1. Ever actually gone to a practice?
2. Suggested lock downs needed?
3. Suggested death shot is a good thing?
4. Advocate for gun control?
5. All of the above
6. None of the above
July 27th, 2022 at 11:18 am
NeverGiveUp trying to be a comedian.
July 27th, 2022 at 11:22 am
That poll actually has nothing to do with this article. Inquiring minds just want to know the stupidity level of those advocating one way or another.
As far as may answer to the poll. (6)
As far as to my thoughts on attending PRACTICE!
IT DOESNT MATTER!!!
If you want your kids to meet the players and see them play. Go to the events that they host YEAR-ROUND for FREE. Go to the games or make game day at home special too.
If you want to go, see PRACTICE! Go to the dam PRE-SEASON GAMES. Get a great seat and decent food and enjoy PRACTICE.
To those of you that are only wanting to go NOW because the team is good. THIS is why they had to make an attendance rule.
This entire concept of a problem falls into the category of…. ITS A GOOD PROBLEM TO HAVE
July 27th, 2022 at 11:41 am
Pretty soon the NFL will go the way of the NBA. In many venues they don’t show the home team unless you subscribe to a Bally,Fox sports or NBA script channel.
It all bout that Money.
July 27th, 2022 at 11:52 am
Took my boys to a practice in 2018 had a great time
July 27th, 2022 at 12:56 pm
Most season ticket holders have had these tickets for years, decades even. Through the good times and the bad. So they should get a perk. The ones that gave up their tickets in the so-called “lost decade” I do not blame; however, I also have no sympathy for you either. Nor do I have any sympathy for the people that gave up their tickets when Brady did his fake retirement, and then you whined about about a price increase and how the Bucs wanted a two-commitment when you wanted those tickets back.
Good sports teams attract bandwagon fans, I get that. But I don’t have a problem with that team doing certain things to reward fans that stick around during the bad times.
July 27th, 2022 at 2:37 pm
So everyone has ro pay for stadium but can’t go to something that is free to every other team. Sounds about right
July 27th, 2022 at 3:07 pm
The last practice I went to was when the Bucs were at Pepin Stadium. It was fun, you could literally hear Warren Sapp talking trash like 100 yards away. With the way the NFL just basically prints money, I’m surprised the Glazers don’t just tell Tampa to build them a proper covered stadium that seats like 12,000 people.
July 27th, 2022 at 4:15 pm
Bandwagon fans buy merchandise. For those of you who see it as good business sense to offer a perk to the “congregation,” don’t really see the flipping to that business model. Maybe you sell more swag and tix if you let the converts test drive the product. You already got season tix holder’s dime; nobody buys season tix so they can attend practices. Marketing 101, you don’t get the new iPhone if you’re already on the service plan.
July 27th, 2022 at 4:42 pm
I’m not a season ticket holder and still went to camp last year and I’m going again this year. I convinced my wife to sign up for the Women of Red a few years back and that’s how I get to go. Try it.
July 27th, 2022 at 11:02 pm
ChiBuc Says
“Bandwagon fans buy merchandise.”
My response to that would be that the overwhelming amount of merchandise is not bought locally…and since the majority of fans do not attend practices, making them season Ticket holders only will hardly affect the bottom line.
July 27th, 2022 at 11:14 pm
NeverGIVEup,
You know…I get it. Sites like this attract a lot of good people. I would say the majority of people here since I’ve been here (are we at a decade now, Joe?) are great fans.
That doesn’t mean everyone agrees on everything. We all have personal views about the team, and found r many of us, those views have evolved over time. We’ve supported one another over the years, and we’ve talked smack to each other too.
But for most of us, one thing remains the same…we are united in support of the team, no matter what part of the world we hail from.
That said, the part I ‘get’ exposure’s that sometimes young and/or ignorant idiots show up looking to just stir the pot.
You, NeverGIVEup, unfortunately, fall into that category. You could be enjoying fandom as one of us…but instead you say things like above, and it alienates you from the rest of us. Usually, the best thing to do is ignore people like you…but I happen to believe that even idiots eventually reach a point of maturity where they say to themselves, “Maybe I’m going about this
The question for you is, “Are you ready to grow up yet?”
July 27th, 2022 at 11:15 pm
Stupid autocorrect .